Hypatia and Alexandria

Edict of Serdica

311

The Edict of Serdica (also known as the Edict of Toleration) was issued by Roman Emperor Galerius. This declaration put in end to the Diocletianic persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. The Edict granted Christianity the status of "religio licita." It also recognized Christianity as an official religion in the Roman Empire.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was established by Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius. This Edict established further religious tolerance by making permanent policy changes that protected Christians and allowed them to lead better lives. For example, it legally stopped the persecution of Christians and allowed them to openly worship.

Growing Tensions

Period: 320 to 415

Starting with the Edict of Milan, tensions between Pagans, Jews, and Christians started to intensify. Pagans grew increasingly fearful of worshiping in public spaces. Soon, it had gotten to the point where they were afraid to even worship in their own home. Alexandria became a place of tension, unease, and danger.

Birth of Hypatia

355

Hypatia's birth is widely debated among historians, however, it is generally accepted that she was born sometime between 350-360 CE. Hypatia was born to Theon of Alexandria, in Alexandria, Egypt. Her father was a well-known philosopher and mathematician, said to be the best-attested intellectual of the mid-fourth century. Nothing is known of her mother.

Hypatia's Education

Period: 355 to 372

Hypatia's father started her education from a very young age. For the most part, daughters of wealthy families in Alexandria started their education at the age of six and continued until they could stop at the age of eighteen. However, Hypatia continued hers, continuing to study philosophy, which is considered the highest level of Ancient Roman education. This meant that Hypatia would go on to master astronomy, arithmetic, geometry, and the texts of Plato and Aristotle.

Split of the Empire

364

The Roman Empire splits and Alexandria is in the eastern half. During this period, the city was largely known to be in turmoil due to the fighting between Christians, Jews, and Pagans.

A Scholar

373

At the age of eighteen, Hypatia was fully trained in mathematics. She had spent time travelling abroad in Greece, particularly studying this subject in Athens. While there, she made a name for herself as a renowned and capable mathematician.

Student Surpasses Teacher

378

By the age of twenty-five, Hypatia had surpassed her teacher - and father - in the mastery of language, grammar, and philosophy. At this point, Hypatia had been offered a teaching position at the University of Alexandria with her father. She often lectured on Diophantus' "Arithmetica", as well as the teachings of Plato and Aristotle.

Edict of Thessalonica

380

The Edict of Thessalonica was established by Roman emperors, Theodosius I, Gratian, and Valentinian II. This Edict made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire, or the official religion of the empire. It also condemned Pagan religions, calling those who worshiped such religions heretics. These 'heretics' were encouraged to be persecuted. From here on, practicing any form of Paganism in public was considered to be very dangerous.

Hypatia and the University of Alexandria

Period: 380 to 389

Theon steps down as Primary Instructor at the University of Alexandria. This position is then assigned to Hypatia. Hypatia is then becomes Effective Head before being named Nominal Head. Hypatia has also been credited to have created the astrolabe in letters from her pupil, Synesius of Cyrene.

Hypatia and Religion

Period: 380 to 415

While Hypatia did not partake in any religious activity, she identified as Pagan. However, religious differences did not stand in the way of her teachings. She offered a safe place for both Christians and Pagans alike. This made her school all the more impressive, but also even more dangerous.

Destruction

390

Bishop Theophilus of Alexandria orders that all Pagan temples be destroyed and converted into churches.

Temple of Apollo

390

Emperor Theodosius I allows for Bishop Theophilus to order the destruction of temples. As a result, the Temple of Apollo in Delphi is destroyed. A mob of angry Christians effectively brought down the temple, leaving few remains behind.

Temple of Serapis

391

The Temple of Serapis was an extension of the Library of Alexandria, which is said to have been the worlds "single greatest archive of knowledge". The Temple was said to have been the last remaining extension of the library and estimated to have held up to ten percent of the libraries archives. However, the Temple of Serapis was burned down on the orders of Bishop Theophilus. A majority of the scrolls in the temple were burned. It was then converted into a Christian church.

Changes in Power

412

On the 10/15/412, Bishop Theophilus dies. His nephew, Archbishop Cyril, is appointed as the new bishop of Alexandria. As a result, identifying as Pagan in Alexandria became all the more dangerous. Cyril had a strong dislike for any religion that wasn't Christianity. However, he seemed to hate Pagans the most.

Orestes

415

Orestes was the Christian Roman governor of Egypt and therefore, Alexandria. He took office shortly after Bishop Cyril had been appointed. Orestes clashed with Cyril over imposing Christianity on the citizens of Alexandria. He also clashed with the Bishop regarding his friendship with Pagan philosopher and mathematician, Hypatia. Cyril claimed that Hypatia was the roadblock standing between him and a Christian Alexandria. Many Christians thought she had too much influence.

Mob

415

Following the death of Hierax and the formation of the angry Christian mob, Alexandria had become an increasingly dangerous place. Bishop Cyril spoke with the angry mob. He was believed to have persuaded the mob that the only way to finally bring peace to Alexandria was through the death of Hypatia. She was considered to be have high moral authority and influence over the politics of Alexandria. Hypatia was also believed to have influenced Orestes away from Christianity.

Hypatia's Murder

415

In the afternoon hours of the day, Hypatia was leaving the university after finishing her lectures. On her way home, her chariot was stopped by a mob of angry Christians, mostly monks. Hypatia was dragged from her chariot and into the streets where she was stripped naked and beat with roofing tiles. From there, the mob dragged her to a church where they brutally beat her to death and then skinned her with an oyster shell before tearing her body apart. They then set her remains on fire.

Riots

415

Growing paranoia led Cyril to send a Christian monk, Hierax, to spy on a group of Jews. However, he was discovered. In response, Orestes ordered that Hierax be publicly executed. Following his death, the same group of Jews involved in the incident with Hierax lured a group of Christians into the streets before slaughtering them. In response, a large group of Christians gathered and retaliated against both Jews and Pagans.

Aftermath of Hypatia's Death

416

Hypatia's murder sent shock waves throughout much of the developed world. For centuries, intellectuals of high standing had been viewed as untouchable. Many intellectuals and artists fled from Alexandria. Historians often mark Hypatia's death as the death of classical Paganism and the transition to the age of Christianity. Her death also marked the cultural and intellectual fall of Alexandria. The city could no longer rival that of Athens.

Saint Cyril

1882

Bishop Cyril would be commemorated as a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church. He was recognized for suppressing Paganism and heretics, as well as spreading Christianity. He became known as "Doctor of the Church", "The Pillar of Faith", and the "Seal of all the Fathers". His feast day is celebrated on the 27th of June by Roman Catholics.